ContinueWest Ham United have emerged as favourites to sign want-away Manchester United forward Dimitar Berbatov, as the Bulgarian seeks to find a new club before the end of the transfer window.
The Hammers look to have missed out on the opportunity to bring Andy Carroll to the club following Newcastle United’s elevating interest, and see the mercurial Bulgarian as an alternative option, claim The Daily Mirror.
The out of favour 31-year-old revealed on his personal Facebook page over the weekend that he saw his future away from Old Trafford, declaring it would be ‘better for everyone’ if he sought a move. Berbatov spent the majority of last season as United’s fourth choice forward, behind Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez.
Berbatov was Manchester United’s top scorer during the 2010/11 campaign, going on to make 12 appearances last season, scoring an impressive seven goals. But it wasn’t enough to convince the Bulgarian to stay on at the dethroned champions.
The signing of former Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder Shinji Kagawa may have pushed fourth choice Berbatov further down the pecking order at Old Trafford. The Japanese international is to feature in United’s tour of South Africa and China, and may find himself deployed behind lone forward Javier Hernandez, with Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck left at home to recuperate from Euro 2012.
This change in system may see the role of a fourth striker at Old Trafford become even more marginalised this upcoming season.
The Mirror suggest that Man Utd will settle for a fee in the region of £5 million, with the East London club favourable towards an initial loan move.
With Nicky Maynard, Carlton Cole and play-off final hero Ricardo Vaz Te West Ham’s only recognized forwards, Sam Allardyce will be seeking to bolster his squad before his team’s season opener at Aston Villa.
